Living Stones

Monday, October 13, 2025

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 38, 39, 52; 1 Peter 2

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:2–5, ESV

Jeremiah 52 describes the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of God’s people to Babylon. It is a tragic scene but do not overlook in it God’s hand that is at work to preserve His people and eventually accomplish His good purpose. In particular notice what is recorded regarding Jehoiachin, the king of Judah. He is taken into captivity where he remains for 37 years before he is “graciously freed” and elevated to the royal court of the king of Babylon. “So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, until the day of his death, as long as he lived” (v. 33–34).

Jehoiachin is significant because he is the grandson of Josiah and the remaining, rightful heir to the throne of David. He personifies God’s promise that “David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel” (Jeremiah 33:17). Moreover (and more importantly!), he represents the Righteous Branch that will eventually emerge from his lineage to save all of Israel from their sins (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Jesus Christ was a descendant of David and Jehoiachin is listed in His genealogy (Matthew 1:11-12). These facts are important because they demonstrate how God is faithful to fulfill all of the words that He has spoken.

God never forsakes His people. He never forgets His promises. David himself observed, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). Thank God! We may have to endure as exiles for a little while in this world and suffer some of the effects of sin, but God is able to sustain us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5)! Although we are exiles, Peter says (1 Peter 1:1), we “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (2:9).

Just as God preserved Jehoiachin in Babylon as the progenitor of the one who would one day return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, God preserves each of us as “living stones” that are “being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (Peter 2:5). What an honor it is that God has chosen us to be His temple! His purpose is display His glory to the world through us; therefore, we should desire to be more like Christ. We ought to want to put off our prison garments and put away the bitter things of our former captivity such as malice and deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and like newborn infants long for pure spiritual milk.

We are in the world, but we not of the world (John 17:16). We live here but we live for something higher; therefore, we put our hope in Jesus Christ. He is the Cornerstone. He is our firm foundation and we build our life on Him. So be encouraged today, Friends, and know that God is watching over His word in order to perform all of His promises to you through Jesus Christ! Put your trust in Him and you will not be put to shame!